The best portable speakers (Bluetooth) at the start of the 2023 school year

Although the Go 3 has its limits in terms of audio rendering, it grows stronger than what one might think for its tiny size. Its design is not only more attractive than that of the Go 2, but it also seems more robust and capable of better resisting falls. A mini speaker that is difficult not to appreciate.

Comparison / 55 Bluetooth portable speakers tested September 2023

Undoubtedly one of the most popular audio products, the Nomad Bluetooth speaker is the companion of choice to enjoy his music everywhere and simply.

Just like for nomadic helmets, the integration of Bluetooth into the speakers has turned our music consumption habits upset, and at the same time give life to an astronomical quantity of nomad models. Many brands, and sometimes big audio names, have rushed to this very flourishing market: Sony, JBL, Bose, Beats, Philips, Bang & Olufsen, Marshall or Ultimate Ears for example.

This sound companion, attractive by its practical and compact aspect, has continued to evolve and diversify to meet many needs. There are adventurous speakers, capable of withstanding total immersion in water, models acting as external batteries, others which can be connected to Wi-Fi and capable of connecting to each other or having direct access at Google Assistant / Amazon Alexa… and even light models ! In order not to simplify things, the characteristics, the weight, the size and the design can be very variable depending on the model, not to mention the differences between the sound performance.

Here you will find all the portable Bluetooth speakers, whatever their size, spent in our laboratory, which you can sort according to their price, format, weight, features, connectors or even their autonomy. Thus, you have all the keys in hand to determine the model (s) that best suit you.

The best portable speakers (Bluetooth) at the start of the 2023 school year

At home, at the office, on the move, on vacation, the nomad speakers are the ideal solution to listen to your music at any time. Here is our selection of the best Bluetooth speakers of the moment.

CNET France team

Posted on 08/09/2023 at 4:38 PM

Update of 08/09/2023

In September 2023, the Bose SoundLink Flex still remains at the top of our ranking of the best Bluetooth speakers. The Amazon Echo Dot 5 that we tested in August makes a nice entrance. We recommend it if you are looking for a compact model at a low price and really compatible with Alexa. And the ranking could still evolve with the release of the Sonos Move 2 which promises to be very promising. As usual, those who wish to get advice to choose the right portable speaker will find our dedicated FAQ at the bottom of the page.

1. Bose SoundLink Flex, the best enclosure all criteria combined

Even if the price of the Bose Soundlink Flex is not given, it is not unreasonable for a high -end Bluetooth speaker and completely online with the prices charged by Bose. If you are looking for a very easy-to-transport Bluetooth speaker delivering good audio quality, anti-shocs, completely waterproof, and offering a very effective advanced panel of advanced functions, multipoint, stereo or multiroom pairing, bose SoundLink Flex should appear at the top of your list. Very few competitors can stand up to him. We were impressed by its power, clarity and its mastery of sound. A very beautiful product.

2. Sonos Move, the best hybrid speaker for the house and outings

Of great versatility, the Sonos Move is undoubtedly the portable speaker, or rather transportable given its substantial weight and size, the most complete on the market. It can, at your choice, integrate into the Sonos multiroom system in Wi-Fi or operate in Bluetooth, it allows voice control via Google Assistant or Alexa, it is delivered with a load base but can also be recharged by USB- C and embeds a removable battery for increased longevity, all in an IP56 certified chassis with shock and rain test. Delivering a very good quality sound for this type of device, warm and relatively powerful, it will only be criticized for its fairly substantial congestion, its autonomy from 5 to 10 hours only and especially its very high price. Move is nonetheless an excellent choice and our favorite sonos speaker.

3. Sonos Era 100, the best multiroom speaker

If you want a compact intelligent speaker and with exceptional sound, the Sonos Era 100 is an excellent choice and an easy recommendation. If you already have a Sonos One, it is not an essential upgrade. However, one can easily imagine that some will want to install their existing one in their bedroom, as they do with an old TV, and crack for an ERA 100. In this case, the logic is held.

4. Anker SoundCore Motion+ The best portable speaker at less than 100 €

Difficult to find better than the Anker Soundcore Motion+ at this level of budget. This speaker has everything for her, a robust and completely waterproof design, up-to-date connectors with USB-C and even a Jack port, which is quite rare these days, a sound of high quality for the price, a Bluetooth 5 compatibility.0 Aptx, and all this for less than 100 €. What more ?

5. Marshall Willen, the best ultra-portable speaker

With the little Willen, Marshall makes a good entry into the category of ultraportable Bluetooth speakers. A compact model with careful manufacturing that has many advantages, starting with its rock design that seduces so many people. Offering the guarantee of a powerful sound with a multipoint connection, a stack mode to combine several speakers, and a foolproof autonomy, this small robust speaker has everything to seduce the adept advent of the Marshall sound. Only defects to remember: a slightly high price, an uninteresting application and a multi-school mode without real stereo. But if you like the big sound in a ride, go for your eyes closed !

6. UE Hyperboom, the best portable speaker XXL

With a range of consistent and quality portable speakers for many years now, the reputation of Ultimate Ears, a subsidiary of Logitech, is no longer to be made. And the new XXL speaker of the manufacturer, the Hyperboom, honor its name by delivering a very good sound, with good bass and close to a real library speaker, an efficient Bluetooth 5 connection, 24 hours of maximum autonomy (at very reasonable volume), a design to the test of splashes and complete connectivity composed not only wireless but also a jack port and an optical port. Our regrets, the absence of Wi-Fi and vocal assistant, high quality Bluetooth codecs such as the Aptx, the unmovable battery and the high price. The fact remains that in the category of large format portable speakers, the Hyperboom EU is undoubtedly one of the best.

7. JBL Go 3, the best speaker at a low price

Although the Go 3 has its limits in terms of audio rendering, it grows stronger than what one might think for its tiny size. Its design is not only more attractive than that of the Go 2, but it also seems more robust and capable of better resisting falls. A mini speaker that is difficult not to appreciate.

8. HomePod 2nd Gen, the best enclosure for Apple

9. Amazon Echo Dot 5, the best Amazon first price speaker

The last echo dot is an excellent connected speaker, with a set practical features and decent sound in a compact design.

10. JBL Flip 5, the best compact and powerful speaker

Flip 5 has changed a speaker compared to 4, and although it makes it lose its stereo (anecdotal anyway), the sound is very good for an enclosure of this size, with bass more present than on some more imposing competitors. Another novelty, Flip 5 now has a waterproof USB-C port, but it cost it a jack auxiliary which is really a shame. The latest JBL backpacker is a good speaker to accompany outings and evenings with friends and is at a correct price. We find it more efficient than an EU Boom 3 but less than a soundcore motion+ which is at an equivalent price. However, unlike these two speakers, Flip 5 is quite compact. In the end, it offers a more interesting weight / power ratio. An enclosure to favor if you want to have an object easy to transport.

Our advice for choosing the right

Helmets are a very good solution to listen to your music anywhere, anytime. But they locate, often cut out outside the world and remain a lonely way of enjoying its music. Nomadic speakers on battery retain this notion of freedom of access to its music and add a dimension of sharing. Technically, their Bluetooth connectivity makes it the perfect tool to access songs stored on a mobile terminal or streaming with Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music or other. But nothing prevents them from using them with any other device with Bluetooth technology or more simply in wired, when an auxiliary input jack is available at least (which is less and less the case). We can even use it to improve the sound of your TV.

What makes audio quality ?

Regarding sound quality, know that in general, the more imposing the enclosure, the more the sound is provided in bass. But that is not everything, the amplifier (s), the speakers, the DSP or the DAC also play. Check the power expressed in Watts RMS of the speaker you like or the maximum sound level, expressed in DB. Also pay attention to the frequency response if indicated. The human ear hears the frequencies of 20 to 20,000 Hz, a larger range is not really useful. Conversely, a tighter fork will make you lose details. Note that some speakers broadcast 360 degree sound, others are more directive is also to be observed.

What design ?

But beyond audio, you must also take into account several criteria. First, weight and size, because obviously, you will want to transport an imposing and heavy device than a small speaker. Then, the design of the speaker: some are tight and/or resistant to shocks, or even falls, and others not. There is a certification for this, for an enclosure resistant to water projections, it takes at least an IPX4 certification, and IPX7 for a product that it is possible to completely immerse. This is a criterion to take into consideration if you want to take the enclosure with you at the swimming pool and the beach.

What possibilities of control ?

Having checks on the speaker is an appreciable asset, no need to get your phone out all the time to go up or lower the sound, or to change track. On the other hand, all the speakers are not equal on this point, check the possibilities of control offered to you. Note that some smart models can be controlled by voice. Between the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant models, we recommend the latter, more efficient in our view when the integrated microphones are of good quality.

What connection and wireless connection ?

An auxiliary jack plug to connect your audio source with a cable is a significant plus. Also pay attention to the wireless connection standard used, we advise you to go to a minimum Bluetooth 4 speaker. Also note that the transmission codec is important for audio quality: the SBC is the most basic, the AAC offers a less compressed rendering and therefore a higher audio quality. There are also other less common codecs, but still better, Aptx, HD APTX or LDAC.

What features ?

Finally, be aware that modern speakers offer a number of advanced features, sometimes very useful. Some speakers can for example associate to form stereo pairs or even groups of several speakers, practical to put music throughout the house during the evenings with friends. Others incorporate voice assistants, or even systems to adapt sound to the listening environment. Some are accompanied by mobile applications, others do not have. Finally, the more imposing the speaker, the more you can expect an imposing battery, but it is not an absolute rule. The autonomies offered are very different and go from a few hours to tens of hours depending on the model. Compare them.

Why trust us

Present online for almost 15 years, CNET France is a reference site on high-tech leisure. Our recommendations are based on a large number of tests and comparisons carried out independently, technical observations and sharp knowledge of the market. Our tests and expertise focus on the use of products and the quality/price ratio to help you make the right choice.

CNET France team published on 08/09/2023 at 4:38 PM | Updated on 08/09/2023

Classification of wireless speakers

The scores in the rankings below reflect the performance of each product and the quality of the user experience. These scores, renowned in industry, are supported by exhaustive protocols bringing together hundreds of measures executed within the DxOMark laboratories.

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